16. But I will let a few of them escape the sword, starvation, and plague, so that they may recount all their abominations among the nations to which they go. Thus they may know that I am the Lord.
17. The word of the Lord came to me:
18. Son of man, eat your bread trembling and drink your water shaking with fear.
19. And say to the people of the land: Thus says the Lord God about the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: they shall eat their bread in fear and drink their water in horror, because the land will be emptied of what fills it—the lawlessness of all its inhabitants.
20. Inhabited cities shall be in ruins, the land a desolate place. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.
21. The word of the Lord came to me:
22. Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel: “The days drag on, and every vision fails”?
23. Say to them therefore: Thus says the Lord God: I will put an end to that proverb; they shall never use it again in Israel. Say to them instead: “The days are at hand and every vision fulfilled.”
24. No longer shall there be any false visions or deceitful divinations within the house of Israel,
25. for whatever word I speak shall happen without delay. In your days, rebellious house, whatever I speak I will bring about—oracle of the Lord God.
26. The word of the Lord came to me:
27. Son of man, listen! The house of Israel is saying, “The vision he sees is a long time off; he prophesies for distant times!”
28. Say to them therefore: Thus says the Lord God: None of my words shall be delayed any longer. Whatever I say is final; it shall be done—oracle of the Lord God.